Walk in the Light

Posted on October 1, 2013

October is here. This means Fall is here! This means cooler weather. This means those of us reading the Chronological Bible are now in the New Testament!

The fact that it took ten months to get through the Old Testament shows us just how long the Old Testament is. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the reading thus far. I am left with an over- whelming sense of God’s faithfulness as I look back over God’s hand through time.

But I am happy to be in the New Testament now. Already I have had some passages jump out at me.

“For everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light; so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” John 3:20-21

Surprises lurk in this passage. Encouragement too.
Parallel structure waves its hand in this passage. Then comes the surprise.

First we see that doing evil is the opposite of living by the truth. This is clear enough. Evil always has lies built into it. This is not surprising.

Then we see that evil deeds seek the darkness so the deeds are not exposed. This is clear enough as well. We are creatures who shun shame.

But the parallel surprised me. I thought it would say if you love the truth you will step into the light so your deeds will be seen clearly. But this is not what Jesus said. He puts a twist in the parallel structure. What he said is “whoever lives by the truth comes in the light; so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

Do you see it? Our goodness is not our own. Our good deeds are not our own. The good that emerges comes “through God.” This is good news. I am not left alone in my quest to walk in the truth. God walks with me. God walks with you. Through Jesus we can walk the walk set out for us. This is Good News indeed.

So be encouraged. In this Halloween month of shadows, step completely into the light. If the light exposes you you have a Savior who forgives. If you are weak-kneed you have a Risen Lord who walks with you.

So be encouraged. Do you have people to step completely into the light with? The body of Christ can be a huge strength as we choose to live a life in the light and truth. John tells us in I John 1:7 “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another…”

I am happy for my small group. I am happy for my various discipleship groups. I am happy for the pastors I regu- larly meet with. These groups helps me to stay in the light. I find encouragement there.

Seek this encouragement for yourself as well. We were not made to live alone. Best of all, our Savior is with us.

This is the gem I received as I read my devotions today. Stay in God’s Word. You will find strength for your life there.

Pastor Joel

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